Defense Ministry tests UAVs capable of striking enemy’s human targets
Azerbaijan has launched preliminary tests of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of striking enemy’s human targets and military equipment. Minister of Defense Industry Yavar Jamalov made the remarks in an article published in the country’s official press on December 17.
Azerbaijan has launched preliminary tests of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of striking enemy’s human targets and military equipment.
Minister of Defense Industry Yavar Jamalov made the remarks in an article published in the country’s official press on December 17.
“Moreover, negotiations on the creation of electro-pulse weapons are being conducted with a number of countries. We have already begun to perform these works,” he said.
As for the establishment of a joint venture with the Israeli company, the minister noted that Azerbaijan produces UAVs for various purposes.
“We are negotiating in various issues with Turkey’s Aselsan company,” the minister said. “We have already decided to establish a service department at the Alov plant.”
Jamalov added that in 2018, the ministry intends to implement projects with a number of Turkish companies, as well as relevant structures of other countries. He noted that the creation and use of a 23-millimeter sniper rifle can also be attributed to these projects.
“In addition, work is under way to create devices capable of landing enemy’s UAVs. At the same time, projects on the transfer of uncontrolled air bombs into a controlled version will be carried out,” the minister said.
Jamalov also touched upon on some statistical data. The total volume of production at the enterprises of Defense Industry Ministry increased by 6.7 times and the output of defense products increased by 42 times in 2016 compared to 2007.
“During this period, the total number of items of defense products has grown from 213 to 1,200,” he noted, adding that the most modern equipment, mechanisms and components were bought in various countries and installed.
The minister also said that in January-November 2017, the volume of defense products provided to the Defense Ministry and other structures increased by 7.1 percent compared with the same period last year.
Jamalov further recalled that the complex work was over at two production enterprises in June this year and Azerbaijani Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev attended the commissioning ceremony.
“Thus, the number of manufacturing enterprises put into operation has been brought to 58,” he said.
Shortly it is planned to open two new plants – on hot forging and machining of shells of different calibers for tanks and artillery, as well as for the production of ammunition shell casing for these shells, according to Jamalov. He added that the work is underway to establish plants for the production of explosives for ammunition in Azerbaijan.
“This year, work was continued to fulfill the instructions of the head of state on the production of new generation weapons. These projects include UAVs with high explosive and more advanced cumulative warheads, an armored vehicle Tufan, which is the national product of Azerbaijan, and others,” the minister added.
He further noted that this year the Defense Industry Ministry’s enterprises continued development to create 136 items of defense products.
“Over the 11 months of the current year, the ministry’s enterprises have completed work on four products – a special purpose sniper rifle Yalguzag, a training hand grenade of F-1 type, an optical collimator, as well as a hand grenade launcher of 40millimeter caliber, and production of these items was established,” said Jamalov.
Azerbaijan leaves behind many CIS and regional countries to take its place among the first 58 strongest militaries of the world, according to the U.S.-based Global Firepower survey center.
The country, which is in war with neighboring Armenia over the latter's groundless territorial claims during more than 20 years, keeps in focus the armament. While creating its own armament, Azerbaijan works closely with leading companies and firms in various fields of military industry.
The Azerbaijani-made products include such weapons as mortars of various caliber and their ammunition, 5.45-millimeter machine guns, 7.62mm general-purpose machine guns, sniper rifles of special purpose, Matador and Marauder armored personnel carriers. Moreover, Azerbaijani military factories produce 30-mm automatic grenade launcher complex, sight for ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft installation, ammo of various calibers, PG7V grenade launchers, unmanned aerial vehicles, aerial bombs for a training exercise and many other weapons.
Apart from the Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, Internal Troops, Border Troops and other bodies, the Defense Industry Ministry exports its military products to more than 10 countries around the world.